US Media Ad Spending to Surge in 2024’s Second Half

With total US media ad spending projected to reach $389.49 billion this year, according to a March 2024 forecast, the market remains robust. Digital advancements are expected to drive a 6.8% growth, pushing media ad spending beyond $400 billion by 2025.

To understand a brand or client’s media ad spend is to understand their business goals,” stated Liz Nelligan, Vice President of Media Strategy at Ansira.

As advertisers navigate new tools, AI-powered innovations in attribution, and cautious consumer spending, strategic decision-making becomes crucial. Nelligan discusses key trends shaping ad spending for the latter half of 2024.

Adapting to Consumer Hesitancy in an Uncertain Economy
Nelligan advises that during economic uncertainty, brands should maintain visibility through both paid and organic efforts to avoid losing traction. She suggests making strategic decisions such as scaling back budgets, tailoring investments to specific channels, negotiating better rates, and seeking added-value opportunities to optimize ROI.

Sector-Specific Impacts on Media Ad Spend

• Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs): Brands compete to capture consumer attention throughout the day. Nelligan recommends leveraging data to identify the most profitable time segments for customer engagement.
• Insurance: Despite rising premiums and shifts in service lines, media spending remains stable, with a focus on efficient budget utilization.
• Automotive: The sector is rebounding from the pandemic, with digital ad spending projected to grow by 10.2% to $21.26 billion in 2023, per EMARKETER’s December forecast.

Factors Influencing Ad Spend
Measurement and attribution will be critical for advertisers to gauge campaign effectiveness and inform future strategies. Nelligan suggests going beyond vanity metrics to assess overall brand lift and business impact. Aligning with analytics teams to understand consumer sentiment, customer lifetime value, and cost per acquisition is essential.

Notable Trends for the Second Half of 2024

1. Short-form Video: This format remains popular for consumer engagement. Advertisers should prepare for potential impacts of platform changes, such as a TikTok ban, by exploring alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
2. Connected TV: Viewers prioritize content over platforms, making it important for advertisers to ensure visibility across various streaming services.
3. AI: AI continues to be pivotal, with applications ranging from content generation and creative development to targeting.